Residential homes are protected by their roofs. Outside elements are kept from the inside of a home by the walls, windows and roof. Unfortunately, only one of these structures can affect several different rooms at once – the roof.

If you’ve seen a shingle lying on your lawn or driveway, it could mean the shingle has simply come loose due to weather, or if it means there’s an underlying problem that should be inspected by a Los Angeles roofing contractor.

There’s no easy answer, but a little bit of investigation can help steer you in the right direction.

If you see a loose shingle, think about the weather in your area during the past few days. Severe rain or wind within the past few days can be a culprit of missing shingles. However, if no such weather event occurred, there might be another cause.

Go inside your home and look up at the ceiling in the approximate location where the roof shingles are missing. If there is a discoloration, it might mean there is a problem with the integrity of the roof. The severity of the problem can best be determined by an experienced contractor.

Look inside the attic under the space where the missing shingles are located. In some instances, the interior ceiling will not be discolored from a roof leak due to the fact that water has not yet soaked past the insulation.

If the ceiling is not discolored, then inspect the area on the roof around the missing shingles. Should there be any other shingles near the same place curled up, this could be a sign of age or improper installation.

If you suspect a leak, stay off the roof. Walking over threatened areas could be hazardous to your safety. Contact a licensed, professional roofing contractor for an evaluation of your roof to determine the source of the problem and learn your options. You can see which of the 2,500 local contractors have been highly rated and recommended by members in your area by joining Angie’s List.